The curiously termed phenomenon concerns urban cyclists riding while listening to music via earphones and is being blamed for causing cyclist injuries and deaths on the roads.

AA president Edmund King has asked the Department for Transport to raise awareness of the dangers of the practise in a campaign, leading the Times to create the ‘iPod zombie’ term.

On its Twitter feed, National Cyclists’ Organisation the CTC has asked for cyclists opinions on whether listening to an iPod while riding is dangerous, and even whether there should be legislation making the practice illegal.